Mayor thanks those who helped during ice storms

City Hall was closed for a few days as
the temperatures dipped well below freezing. At Thursday’s City Council
agenda meeting,
Mayor Randy Roach addressed the decisions made by the city during
those few days and how the decisions helped keep residents
safe.

“Now that people have seen what happened in Atlanta and to some of the other cities, they can better understand why we do
what we do,” he said. “I’d like to take a few moments to recognize some of our city employees.”

He went thanked the fire and police departments, noting that there were no significant fires during the storm. As far as the
traffic was concerned, he said there were 68 accidents Friday and only one the following Tuesday.

“You can see how the situation improved greatly with the cooperation of the residents in going along with the request that
was made to stay off the streets,” Roach said.

He then thanked the work crews that took take care of the bridges and roadways. “Thank you so much for what you do and what
you did and hopefully we don’t have to do it again,” Roach said.

Calcasieu Parish Animal Services Director Nathan Areno later talked about what the agency has coming up this year and about
recent animal abuse cases.

“We’ve been dealing with a rash of
animal abuse cases that I consider to be far from a normal day at the
office,” Areno said.
“I’d like to compliment the Police Department for standing back to
back with us because without them, a lot of this wouldn’t
be possible.”

He described how a pit bull puppy was severely abused and shot, and he said the police managed to quickly make an arrest in
the case. He also talked about the importance of having animals vaccinated.

After the speakers, the agenda for the
next regular meeting was finalized. A number of items on the agenda will
focus on providing
vehicles and equipment to divisions within the public works
department.

After reading the agenda, Chris Carroll, fire district chief and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 561 member,
spoke to the council and the mayor about submitting a preliminary contract to the city.

“You are aware that for the last two years, we’ve been working with the city without a contract. We take full responsibility
for that,” Carroll said.

“We think that it’s time to obtain a
new contract with the city of Lake Charles. We’re asking the council to
sponsor a resolution
authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with Local 561.”

Carroll passed the contract out to the council members and asked that they review it and get back in touch with union.

“Take your time and go through it and you’ll see that, I think, we’re being very modest and we’re just asking for some of
the things that we once had,” Carroll said.